While toeing the United Australia party line in strongly opposing any vaccination mandates, the medical practitioner of 40 years did offer some support to the Novavax option.
“The fact that Novavax is not using the gene therapy technique, and does not have the Messenger RNA, is its biggest tick,” Dr Peterson said.
"By and large, when you compare it to the Messenger RNA vaccines it is certainly a much safer option.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, as a booster, it would be the way to go.”
Novavax has not yet been given approval to be offered as a booster alternative.
Dr Peterson is currently forming a campaign committee and will be part of the February 22 United Australia Party launch, when the Clive Palmer-led party will publicly announce all of its policies.
“Once they have all been announced at a national level I will be travelling around the Goulburn Valley,” Dr Peterson said.
“People can hear my policies and discuss any issues.”
Dr Peterson said one of those policies would be the party’s total opposition to vaccine mandates and passports.
"First and foremost I don’t believe anyone under the age of 20 should have been vaccinated, on a risk-reward basis,“ he said.
“But for people that feel they want a booster, and again we are against the mandating of boosters, the Novavax will be the way to go.”
The Novavax vaccine has finally been made available in Australia and is being rolled out at general practices, community pharmacies and state clinics across the country.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Monday announced the protein-based formula — which authorities hope may finally persuade some of the remaining vaccine-hesitant to get the jab — will begin being distributed this week.
“Despite high vaccination rates in Australia, there has been a demand for a protein-based formula,” Mr Hunt said.
“For some people, the arrival of Novavax will be the extra push they need to get their first jab and kick start their protection against COVID-19.”
Australians aged 18 and above will be given two doses of Novavax three weeks apart.
The vaccine will not yet be available as a booster shot or for those under the age of 18.
On December 21, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said data on the safety and efficacy on the use of Novavax in pregnant women was not yet available.
'“WHO recommends the use of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women when the benefits of vaccination to the pregnant woman outweigh the potential risks,” it said.
Australian authorities expect those who haven't already got the jab to roll up their sleeves for Novavax due to its protein base.
TGA head professor John Skerritt said those skeptical about the mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna would likely be more comfortable being jabbed with the newly-approved dose.
“The technology on which Novavax is made is an older technology. And I would have had several hundreds of emails from individuals and groups who have said, for whatever reason, we would like to have a protein vaccine,” Professor Skerritt said.
Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia Novavax was more of a “conventional” approach to vaccines as the receiver was being injected with a protein.
“The viral protein segment that they're using as a trigger for the immune system is produced in a laboratory, whereas with the other vaccines, it's actually getting our cells to produce the protein and then your immune system sees it and reacts to it,” Mr Hunt said.
“(Novavax) is doing that bit of work up front, before it's injected.”
Ms Bennett said because the protein was produced in a lab, researchers had to work hard to ensure there was no contamination.
“So what goes into you is a bit more complex because it includes a protein,” she said.
“You still have then the production of antibodies (with Novavax).”
Novavax differs from mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna, but all have similar side effects after a person is jabbed.
These include soreness around the site of injection, fatigue, headaches and muscle aches.
The vaccine, which is the fifth to be approved in Australia, is able to be stored in a normal fridge for up to three months, unlike other doses which must be kept at very low temperatures.
The vaccine has been proven to have 90 per cent efficacy rate against mild, moderate and severe disease.
